In order to showcase Britain's arts and heritage during the Olympic Games, the U.K. government has bestowed $150 million on the Cultural Olympiad and its accompanying London 2012 Festival, which runs from June 21 to September 9. The results of that investment include a towering Lady Godiva puppet and a taxidermy-style crocheted lion. Is Britain's Olympic art any good? You be the judge

AcelorMittal Orbit

It’s unclear if future generations will herald the AcelorMittal Orbit as London’s asymmetrical Eiffel Tower, or dismiss it as a Six Flags rip-off without the roller coaster. What is certain, however, is that the 115-meter steel tower has already stirred debate. London’s eccentric Mayor Boris Johnson has described the Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond structure as the “largest and most preposterous ever representation ever of a shisha pipe.” He also said its exterior was “lovingly rubbed with rhubarb” to achieve its “beautiful rosy hue.” But not everyone is convinced. Writing in the Times (of London) Libby Purves described it as “a piece of vainglorious sub-industrial steel gigantism, signifying nothing.” For $23, visitors can decide for themselves by taking a 30-second elevator ride to a viewing platform 85 meters high. Then they can argue about it on the way down the Orbit’s 455-step spiral staircase.

Mayor Boris Johnson has described the Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond structure as the “largest and most preposterous ever representation ever of a shisha pipe.” ..okay, was he criticizing, or was he praising it?